Data collection method and devices therefor

ABSTRACT

A data collection method of the present invention uses measuring terminals, each of measuring terminals can obtain measurement data from a sensor and wirelessly transmit the measurement data, and a collection terminal for receiving the measurement data from the measuring terminals, each measuring terminal having a memory that stores, as its own identification information, one of a limited number of sets of identification information whose order can be defined. The data collection method comprises: an inquiring step in which the collection terminal wirelessly transmits a message for inquiring about identification information; a first responding step in which each measuring terminal, on receiving the message, wirelessly transmits its own identification information when, after the message has ended, a turn for sending its own identification information is reached; a first identifying step in which the collection terminal stores the sets of identification information received in reply in the order of the sets of identification information; and a collecting step in which the collection terminal wirelessly communicates individually with the measuring terminals that have the stored sets of identification information and collects the measurement data from the measuring terminals. By the collection method, data can be automatically collected from the measuring terminals.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system for measuring and collectingphysical quantities, such as temperature.

BACKGROUND ART

In order to manage the temperature of transported goods, a measuringterminal for periodically measuring the temperature is provided in acontainer. After the container has been opened, the provided measuringterminal is taken out, the recorded temperatures are collected, and itis confirmed whether there are any abnormalities.

However, in a method using such a measuring terminal, it is not possibleto judge whether there are any abnormalities during transport withoutopening the container. Accordingly, it is not possible to detectabnormalities in a container beforehand from the data in a measuringterminal and to prevent such abnormalities from occurring from theoutset. This means that regardless of whether a measuring terminal isprovided in a container, it is still necessary to separately providemeasuring terminals at a plurality of positions on a truck or a cargohold and to measure environmental conditions such as temperature. Also,it is not possible to process a container during the transportationprocess even if an abnormal state has occurred.

If it is possible to wirelessly collect measurement data from ameasuring terminal provided in a container, the measurement datarecorded in the measuring terminal can be verified without opening thecontainer. Accordingly, the problem described above can be solved. To doso, when a plurality of containers are being handled, in order towirelessly communicate with the measuring terminals provided in therespective containers separately, it is necessary to obtain theidentification information of the respective measuring terminals inadvance. Accordingly, a measuring terminal needs to constantly transmitits own identification information or own identification information,and the collection terminal that corresponds to the base station needsto be able to obtain in advance the identification information of themeasuring terminals to be managed by that collection terminal. However,since measuring terminals have repeatedly transmitted information, thismeans that power consumption has been high, which is not suitable fortransportation over long periods.

It is possible to write the identification information of a measuringterminal on the outside of a container and to input the identificationinformation into the collection terminal by any particular method.However, such inputting is troublesome and input errors may occur, sothat this is not a very practical method.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY

For the reasons given above, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a system where the identification information of a measuringterminal provided in a container can be obtained by a simple method, sothat the temperature of a container can be managed and it can be judgedbeforehand whether there is an abnormality in the container using themeasurement data of the measuring terminal.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, identificationinformation, such as identification numbers, whose order can be defined,are stored in the collection terminals. Self or own identificationinformation is transmitted when the turn of the own identificationinformation is reached following the reception of a message inquiringabout identification information, the collection terminal automaticallyobtains the identification information of each of measuring terminals. Adata collection method uses measuring terminals, each measuring terminalcan obtain measurement data from a sensor and wirelessly transmit themeasurement data, and a collection terminal, which can receive themeasurement data from the measuring terminals, wherein each measuringterminal has a memory that stores one of a limited number of sets ofidentification information whose order is definable as ownidentification information for the measuring terminal. The datacollection method comprises: an inquiring step in which the collectionterminal wirelessly transmits a message for inquiring aboutidentification information; a first responding step in which eachmeasuring terminal, on receiving the message, wirelessly transmits itsown identification information when, after the message has ended, a turnfor sending the own identification information is reached; a firstidentifying step in which the collection terminal stores the sets ofidentification information responded in the order of the sets ofidentification information; and a collecting step in which thecollection terminal wirelessly communicates individually with themeasuring terminals with the sets of identification information storedand collects the measurement data from the measuring terminals.

With this collection method, the measuring terminal only need to use awireless apparatus for receiving messages continuously orintermittently, so that a large reduction can be made in powerconsumption. Since individual sets of identification information aretransmitted from the measuring terminals when the respective turns forsending such set of identification information are reached, thecollection terminal does not need reception hardware or software fordistinguishing between sets of identification information arrivingsimultaneously. Accordingly, the data collecting method uses anextremely simple transmission and reception method, and theidentification information of the measuring terminals to be managed bythe collection terminal are obtained automatically by simple hardwareand software. Also, once the sets of identification information has beenreceived, the collection terminal can communicate with the individualmeasuring terminals using these sets of identification information, sothat the collection terminal can collect the measurement data that hasbeen measured or is being measured by each measuring terminal. Thecollection terminal also can monitor the presence or absence ofabnormalities, and can monitor the conditions where each measuringterminal is installed.

A measuring terminal that composes a system which uses this datacollection method comprises: means for obtaining measurement data from asensor; means for transmitting the measurement data via a wirelessapparatus; a memory for storing one of a plurality of sets ofidentification information, whose order can be defined, as ownidentification information of the measuring terminal; and firstresponding means for transmitting the own identification information viathe wireless apparatus when a message inquiring about identificationinformation has been received via the wireless apparatus and a turn fortransmitting the own identification information has been reachedfollowing an end of the message. A collection terminal that composes thesystem comprises: means for receiving, via a wireless apparatus,measurement data from measuring terminals that can obtain themeasurement data from sensors; inquiring means for transmitting, via thewireless apparatus to the measuring terminals, a message that inquiresabout identification information; and first identifying means thatstores sets of identification information received via the wirelessapparatus in an order of the sets of identification information after anend of the message, wherein the means for receiving communicates withthe measuring terminals with the stored sets of identificationinformation individually via the wireless apparatus and collects themeasurement data from the measuring terminals.

In a case where the measuring terminals are provided in containersloaded on a truck, the communication range of the wireless apparatusesmay be small and so may be limited to around several meters, forexample. When the communication range is limited, the number ofmeasuring terminals that can communicate with the collection terminal islimited, so that the number of the sets of identification information tobe included in the measuring terminals may also be limited and the timerequired by the first responding step can be reduced. In the case of awide storage space, such as a cargo hold, by using wireless apparatuseswith a communication range that is limited to around several tens ofmeters, the number of measuring terminals that can communicate with thecollection terminal can also be limited. In addition, low outputwireless apparatuses with a limited communication range makes powerconsumption reduce and is effective for extending the battery life ofthe measuring terminals.

It is preferable that each set of identification information includesfirst identification information for defining order and secondidentification information for identifying a group. In the inquiringstep, a message that includes the second identification information istransmitted, in the responding step, the measuring terminals with theown identification information that include the second identificationinformation included in the message responds to the message. Since thefirst identification information is appended to each set of secondidentification information, the number of sets of first identificationinformation for identifying the measuring terminals can be limited.Also, even if the first identification information is not known, so longas the second identification information is known beforehand, by varyingthe first identification information in the sets of secondidentification information respectively, the sets of identificationinformation can be obtained, so that the time required for the firstresponding step can be reduced.

In addition, it is effective to provide a second responding step, beforethe first responding step, in which every measuring terminal wirelesslytransmits its own or self identification information simultaneouslyfollowing the end of the message and a second identifying step where,when a set of identification information can be identified in the secondresponding step, the set of identification information is stored and thefirst identifying step is skipped. When only one measuring terminal ismanaged by the collection terminal, the identification information ofthis measuring terminal is obtained without waiting for the turn fortransmitting the own identification information of that measuringterminal. Accordingly, the step of collecting the measurement data canstart sooner. It is preferable for a measuring terminal to include asecond responding means for transmitting the own identificationinformation of the measuring terminal via the wireless apparatus apredetermined time after the end of the message and before the firstresponding means replies. In addition, it is preferable for thecollection terminal to include a second identifying means for receiving,following the end of the message, sets of identification informationthat are simultaneously transmitted from every measuring terminal and,when a set of identification information can be identified, storing theset of identification information and skipping an operation of the firstidentifying means.

Also, by transmitting the same message a plurality of times togetherwith a number of repetitions for the transmission when inquiring aboutidentification information, the measuring terminals can receive themessage and understand the timing of the end of the message, even when amethod where reception is performed intermittently is used by themeasuring terminals in a normal mode. Accordingly, it is possible to,extend the battery life.

When replying to a message, in view of the differences in the time keptby clocks provided in the individual measuring terminal, it ispreferable for each measuring terminal to count a turn for transmittingits own identification information using a normal time for transmittingone set of identification information, the normal time being a total ofa time needed to transmit the one set of identification information plusspare time. The simultaneous transmission by a plurality of measuringterminals can be avoided, and the collection terminal can reliablyobtain the identification information.

The respective functions of the measuring terminal and the collectionterminal can be provided as programs or program products, such asfirmware, that are executed by processors, such as CPUs, that areprovided in the respective terminals, with it also being possible forsuch programs or program products to be used having been recorded ontosuitable recording media such as ROMs. In order to achieve the functionsof the present invention using measuring terminals that are compact anddisposable or have a similar construction, a program is provided thatcomprises an instruction that executes a step of transmitting, when amessage inquiring about identification information has been received viathe wireless apparatus, the own identification information of themeasuring terminal via the wireless apparatus when, after the messagehas ended, a turn for sending the own identification information isreached. The functions of the collection terminal is provided as aprogram comprising instructions that can execute: a step oftransmitting, via the wireless apparatus to the measuring terminals, amessage that inquires about identification information; a step ofstoring, following an end of the message, sets of identificationinformation received via the wireless apparatus in an order of the setsof identification information; and a step of communicating via thewireless apparatus with the measuring terminals with the stored sets ofidentification information individually and collecting the measurementdata from the measuring terminals.

It is also preferable for a measuring terminal that houses a sensor andcan transmit data measured by the sensor to comprise an opticalcommunication means for receiving data for setting conditions fortransmitting and receiving via the wireless apparatus. The measuringterminal that can transmit data via the wireless apparatus and data canbe collected at a position away from the measuring terminalsindividually by indicating the identification information or changingthe frequency. Therefore, it is not only easy to collect data from aplurality of measuring terminals but also possible, by providing anantenna internally, to use a seamless housing, so that measuringterminals can be made with a favorable seal, with high water resistanceand weather resistance, and high durability. Accordingly, it is possibleto provide measuring terminals that can be installed in environmentswith a variety of conditions.

On the other hand, in order to communicate via a wireless apparatus, itis necessary to set the frequency, to set the protocol, and to set theown identification information for identifying the individual measuringterminals, and to do so it is necessary to communicate with theindividual measuring terminals separately. The simplest way ofcommunicating with the separate measuring terminals is to make a wiredconnection between each measuring terminal and a host apparatus, such asa personal computer, that makes the settings, though in such case it isnecessary to provide a suitable interface on the outside of the housingof each measuring terminal, resulting in a loss in seal performancewhich makes it difficult to achieve water resistance, etc. This is alsothe case when an operation panel, such as dip switches, is provided, sothat it is not easy to make a measuring terminal durable.

For the above reason, it is preferable for the measuring terminals ofthe present invention to include, in addition to the wireless apparatus,a means that can communicate wirelessly and on ameasuring-terminal-by-measuring-erminal basis using light or a magneticfield (magnetism) without being influenced by other measuring terminals,and for it to be possible for data for setting conditions fortransmitting and receiving via the wireless apparatus to be received viathis communication means that uses light or a magnetic field. Inparticular, an optical communication means can be constructed easily, atlow cost, and compactly such as by combining a photodiode orphoto-transistor with an LED, and being suited to a measuring terminal.Accordingly, by internally equipping a measuring terminal with a sensor,wireless apparatus, means for storing data and an optical communicationmeans, it is possible to provide a measuring terminal that can make fulluse of the merits described above for the measuring terminal withinternally provided wireless apparatus, and the merits of easilychanging the identification information, etc., of the measuring terminalusing the optical communication means. It is also preferable for theprogram that controls a measuring terminal to comprise, in addition tothe step of transmitting data wirelessly, an instruction for executing astep that sets the identification information of the measuring terminalusing the optical communication means.

With this kind of measuring terminal, it is possible to flexibly set theconditions of the measuring terminal via the optical communication meansat a time when the measuring terminal is attached to the installedposition or when the measuring terminal is provided into a package.Accordingly, the setting of measuring terminals are made freely inaccordance with the system being measured by that measuring terminals,and the merits of introducing the measuring terminals can be obtainedwithout changing the system to be measured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an overview of a collection system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the measuringterminal shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the collectionterminal shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an overview of the process of collectingidentification information in the collection system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows an overview of the identification information.

FIG. 6 shows the format of an inquiry message and a reply message.

FIG. 7 shows the timing at which reply messages are outputted inresponse to an inquiry message.

FIG. 8 shows an example that has been applied to a bottling system.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The following describes embodiments of the present invention in moredetail with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 1 shows an overviewof a data collection system 1 according to the present invention. Thedata collection system 1 includes a plurality of measuring terminals 10and a collection terminal 20 that collects data from the plurality ofmeasuring terminals 10. These measuring terminals 10 are referred to bynames such as “measuring units”, “data loggers” and “log terminals”, andare respectively installed in a plurality of containers 7 loaded on adeck 8 of a truck 9, while the collection terminal 20 is mounted at aposition that can be monitored by an operator, such as at a driver'sseat 6. Each measuring terminal 10 is internally provided with atemperature sensor such as a thermistor, and can measure the internaltemperature of a container 7 and record the measurement data in amemory. In addition, each measuring terminal 10 includes a wirelessapparatus and through wireless communication with the collectionterminal 20, the measurement data is collected in the collectionterminal 20. Accordingly, by using the data collection system 1 of thepresent embodiment, the temperatures of each of the containers 7 can becollectively monitored at the driver's seat 6 without opening thecontainers 7. The collection terminal 20 may be realized by a dedicateddevice for collecting data from the measuring terminals 10 or can berealized by a multifunction terminal that includes a plurality offunctions aside from the functions that relate to the present invention.The collection terminal 20 may be portable, or can be realized as asystem that is fixed to the driver's seat or the like.

FIG. 2 shows the overall construction of the measuring terminal 10. Thismeasuring terminal 10 includes a sensor 11 that measures temperature ofcircumstance, a CPU 12 that controls the operation of the measuringterminal 10, a memory 13, a liquid crystal display (LCD) 14 thatdisplays the temperature being measured, the operation mode, etc., an RFwireless unit 15 and antenna 17 that wirelessly communicate (via radiowaves) with the collection terminal 20, and an optical communicationunit 16 that communicates with the collection terminal 20 or a personalcomputer or the like using light, such as infrared light. By loadingfirmware 19 a that is recorded in a ROM 19, the CPU 12 operates as acontrol apparatus that is equipped with functions such as a recordingfunction 12 a that records temperature data (measurement data) that hasbeen measured by the sensor 11 in a measurement data storage part 13 aof the memory 13, an uploading function 12 b that transmits the recordeddata to the collection terminal 20 via the wireless unit 15, aninterpreting function 12 c that interprets a message from the collectionterminal 20, a first response function 12 d that transmits anidentification number (IDNo) 13 b recorded in the memory 13 in responseto such message when the turn for this identification number has beenreached, a second response function 12 e that transmits theidentification number 13 b when the message has ended, and a settingfunction 12 f that sets the identification number and sets the frequencyconditions and the like of the wireless unit 15 using data supplied viathe optical communication unit 16.

As shown in FIG. 1, the measuring terminal 10 is constructed so that thedevices described above are enclosed in a sealed housing 10 a, with onlythe antenna 17 extending out of the housing 10 a. Accordingly, themeasuring terminal 10 is highly resistant to moisture and to corrosion,and so has high durability and various other tolerances. This means thatthe measuring terminal 10 can be easily installed in a container 7 thatis used for transporting foodstuffs and other products. The LCD 14 and aport 16 a for optical communication appear on a surface 10 b, and thesetting of the identification number, etc., can be made via opticalcommunication.

The measuring terminal 10 transmits data via the wireless unit 15 sothat data can be collected at a position away from the measuringterminal 10, and by indicating the identification information ofseparate measuring terminals, the collection terminal 20 can collectdata from a plurality of measuring terminals. In order for the measuringterminals 10 to transmit and receive data to and from the collectionterminal 20, it is necessary to set the radio frequency, to set theprotocol, and/or to set the sets of identification information foridentifying the separate measuring terminals 10, with such settingsbeing made using the optical communication unit 16 for the terminals 10.The optical communication unit 16 is compactly constructed at low costby combining a photo diode or a phototransistor for receiving data andan LED as a light source for transmitting data, and is a separate orpersonal communication means that is suited to a compact measuringterminal 10. In addition, such communication means has highdirectionality, so that information is not broadcast as in the case ofradio waves (electromagnetic waves). Since data can be transmitted andreceived via a medium of light that is transmitted through air, there isno need to use components such as connectors for which water resistanceand air-tightness are difficult to achieve. Therefore, the advantages ofthe sealed construction of the measuring terminal 10 can be maintainedwhile making it possible to identify the measuring terminal 10 using theidentification information and to flexibly and wirelessly set theconditions for the exchanging of data.

FIG. 3 shows the overall construction of the collection terminal 20. Thecollection terminal 20 includes operation keys 21, a CPU 22 thatcontrols the operation of the collection terminal 20, a memory 23, anLCD 24 that displays the measured data and the operation state, etc., anRF wireless unit 25 and an antenna 27 that wirelessly communicate withthe measuring terminal 10, an optical communication unit 26 thatcommunicates with a measuring terminal 20 or a host computer usinglight, such as infrared light, and another communication unit 28, suchas a USB port or RS232C port, for communicating with a host computer. Byloading firmware 29 a that is recorded in a ROM 29, the CPU 22 operatesas a control apparatus that is equipped with functions such as aninquiry function 22 a that transmits a message to measuring terminals 10to inquire about identification numbers, a first identifying function 22b that recognizes the identification numbers transmitted from themeasuring terminals 10 using time division or time sharing and recordsthe identification numbers in the memory 23, a second identifyingfunction 22 c that recognizes an identification number transmitted froma measuring terminal 10 soon after a message has been sent and recordsthe identification number in the memory 23, a function 22 d thatcommunicates with individual measuring terminals 10 using the identifiedidentification numbers and downloads measurement data, and a function 22e that displays the downloaded measurement data on the LCD 24 andanalyses or interprets the data to find past abnormalities or suddenchanges in temperature, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, the collection terminal 20 of the present embodimentis a “handy-type” terminal that has a large LCD 24 disposed on a frontsurface 20 b. A port 26 a for optical communication and a plurality ofswitches 21 a are also disposed on the front surface 20 b. In addition,an encoder switch-type jog dial 21 b is disposed on one side surface anda connection interface 28 a for a personal computer is provided on theopposite side surface.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an overview of the processing in thecollection system 1 of the present embodiment whereby the collectionterminal 20 obtains the identification number of each measuring terminal10 and downloads measurement data from each measuring terminal 10 usingthe obtained identification numbers. FIG. 4( a) shows the processing ofthe collection terminal 20 while FIG. 4( b) shows the processing in ameasuring terminal 10. In the measuring terminal 10, the processing formeasuring temperature, humidity or another physical quantity using thesensor 11, while the process is not shown in the present drawing, iscontinually executed by the recording function 12 a irrespective of thetransmission and reception of identification numbers, and executedautomatically. In addition, the processing described below can beprovided as programs, such as firmware, or program products that areexecuted by control apparatuses such as the CPUs or microprocessors thatcontrol the measuring terminal 10 and the collection terminal 20described above, with it being possible for such programs or programproducts to be provided and then used by recording the programs orprogram products on a suitable recording media such as ROMs.

A plurality of containers 7 are collected at a loading area and areloaded on the truck 9. A measuring terminal 10 is separately provided ineach container 7, the temperature, humidity or another environmentalquantity inside each container 7 is continuously measured, andmeasurement data is recorded in the memory 13 of each measuring terminal10. Even if the containers 7 have the same transportation destinationand are subject to some degree of similarities, since the transportationstarting points and the transportation routes may differ, there is noguarantee that the containers will have been transported via the sameenvironment. The identification number 13 b of the measuring terminal 10provided in each container 7 cannot be known from outside the containers7, and it is also difficult to open the containers 7. For this reason,with the data collection system 1 of the present embodiment, before themeasurement data is downloaded, in step 51, the collection terminal 20broadcasts, via the RF wireless unit 25 using the inquiry function 22 a,a message inquiring about identification numbers in units of groups.

The communication ranges of the RF wireless unit 25 of the collectionterminal 20 and the RF wireless unit 15 of the measuring terminal 10 arelimited to an output over several meters or thereabouts which is suitedto the deck 8 of a truck. Alternatively, when the message istransmitted, the output is limited. By the wireless unit, it is possibleto prevent a message from being sent to the measuring terminals 10 ofcontainers 7 that are stored on another truck or in a warehouse and toobtain the identification numbers 13 b of only the measuring terminals10 in the containers that have been loaded on the deck 8.

FIG. 5 shows the composition of the identification information (ID) thatis assigned to each measuring terminal 10. The identificationinformation 13 b recorded in the memory 13 of each measuring terminal 10includes information (GrID) 71 that identifies the group to which eachmeasuring terminal (child device) 10 belongs, a name 72 of the measuringterminal, and an identification number (IDNo) 73 that is uniquelyassigned to each terminal 10 in the same group. The group information 71and the identification number 73 make unique identification informationfor distinguish itself among the measuring terminals. In the presentembodiment, information that shows the sender or the receiver can beassigned as the group information 71. Alternatively, information such asthe booking date of the goods to be shipped can be used as the groupinformation 71. By appending the group information 71, it is possible toreduce the number or digit of identification numbers 73 that actuallyidentify the measuring terminals 10, and if the group information 71 isalso limited to a certain extent, it is possible to obtain theidentification information of the measuring terminals 10 in a shorttime.

FIG. 6( a) shows the format of a message 75 that is transmitted by thecollection terminal 20. The message 75 includes data for synchronizing75 a, group information 75 b of the measuring terminals 10 to which themessage 75 is being transmitted, number information 75 c that identifiesthe measuring terminals 10, a command 75 d that is transmitted to themeasuring terminals 10, parameter information 75 e that is appended tothe command 75 d, a number of cycles 75 f that shows the number of timesthe message 75 is repeatedly transmitted (i.e., a number ofrepetitions), and a CRC code 75 g for error prevention. In the message75 for inquiring about the identification numbers 73 of the measuringterminals 10 that are provided in the containers 7 that have been loadedon the deck 8 of the truck, the number information 75 c is notspecified, and data showing that this is an inquiry message is insertedas the command 75 d.

In the measuring terminals 10, the consumption of battery power isreduced by intermittently (at intervals of 10 seconds, for example)setting the wireless unit 15 into receive mode. For this reason, in step51, the message 75 is repeatedly transmitted for 10 seconds or longer,such as for 12 seconds. By decrementing the number of cycles 75 f everytime the message 75 is repeatedly transmitted, when a measuring terminal10 receives the message 75, it is possible to calculate the time atwhich the final message 75 will end. This means that no matter when amessage 75 is received, each measuring terminal 10 can understand themeaning of the message 75 and the time at which the repeatedtransmission of this message 75 will end.

Returning to FIG. 4, on receiving the message 75 in step 61, in step 62each measuring terminal 10 first judges whether the group information 75b included in the message 75 matches the group information 71 of its ownidentification information (self identification information) 13 b usingthe interpreting function 12 c. When the group information 71 matches,in step 63 the measuring terminal 10 transmits its own identificationinformation 13 b a fixed period after the ending of the message 75 usingthe second responding function 12 e. In step 64, using the firstresponding function 12 d the measuring terminal 10 waits until the timeperiod assigned to the identification number 73 of the ownidentification information 13 b is reached and in step 65 transmits theown identification information 13 b once again.

FIG. 6( b) shows an example of a reply message 76. The reply message 76includes data for synchronization 76 a, group information 76 b andnumber information 76 c of the own identification information 13 b thatis set in the measuring terminal 10, a number of cycles 76 d that showsa number of repetitions for the message 76, and a CRC code 76 e forerror prevention. The collection terminal 20 can obtain theidentification information 13 b of a transmitting measuring terminal 10by receiving this reply message 76 and after the obtainment, cantransmit and receive information to and from a specified measuringterminal 10 by transmitting a message in which unique identificationinformation has been set in full.

FIG. 7 shows how a message 75 is transmitted from the collectionterminal 20 and how a measuring terminal 10 replies. After a message 75for an inquiry has been transmitted from the collection terminal 20 foraround 12 seconds, an appropriate wait time 77 a is provided beforeevery measuring terminal 10 simultaneously transmits a reply message 76that includes its own identification information 13 b. In the presentembodiment, the inquiry message 75 for each set of group information 71differs, so that measuring terminals 10 with the same group information71 transmit their own identification information 13 b at the same time.After this, an appropriate wait time 77 b is provided and the measuringterminals 10 transmit their own identification information 13 b in orderstarting with the measuring terminal 10 with the lowest identificationnumber 73 in its own identification information 13 b. If there is onlyone measuring terminal 10 corresponding to the group information 71 inthe message 75, the collection terminal 20 can obtain the identificationinformation 13 b via the reply message 76 that is received following theend of the inquiry message 75, regardless of the identification number73 in the identification information 13 b of that measuring terminal 10.Accordingly, if there is one measuring terminal 10, even if theidentification number of this measuring terminal 10 is the final number,which may be “250” for example, the collection terminal 20 can obtainthe identification number by the first reply message 76 and can proceedto the next step in the process of obtaining identification information.

On the other hand, if a plurality of measuring terminals 10 correspondto the group information included in the inquiry message 75, the sets ofidentification information in the first reply messages 76 overlap oneanother and so cannot be distinguished. However, following this, theidentification information 13 b of the individual measuring terminals 10is transmitted in the order of the identification numbers 73, so thatthe collection terminal 20 can definitely obtain the identificationinformation 13 b of each measuring terminal 10 that is on the deck 8 ofthe truck.

As shown in FIG. 7, an appropriate wait time 77 a or guard time 77 b isset between the reply messages 76 that are transmitted in order or inturn from the individual measuring terminals 10. Therefore, in the firstresponding function 12 d of each measuring terminal 10, the normal timeperiod that is assigned for each measuring terminal 10 to transmit itsown identification information 13 b is set as the time that is actuallyrequired or needed to transmit the reply message 76 plus the wait orspare time 77 b. This wait time 77 b is a time period for absorbingdifferences in the time count in the CPU 12, or in an RTC (real timeclock) when it is provided, in the individual measuring terminals 10,and ensures that the reply messages 76 do not overlap one another, noteven in part.

Returning to FIG. 4, after having transmitted the inquiry message 75 instep 51, in step 52 the collection terminal 10 receives, using thesecond identifying function 22 c, the reply messages 76 that shouldarrive together from the measuring terminals 10. Next, in step 53, ifthe received identification information 13 b has been distinguished,only one measuring terminal 10 is included in that group, so that thereis no need to proceed to the next step of recognizing the identificationinformation using time sharing transmitting. Accordingly, the firstidentifying function 22 b in step 54 is skipped.

On the other hand, if the received identification information 13 b isnot distinguished in step 53, a plurality of measuring terminals 10exist. Accordingly, in step 54, the sets of identification information13 b that are transmitted in turn from the individual measuringterminals 10 using time division are received and recorded in the memory23 by the first identifying function 22 b. Next, in step 55, the aboveprocedure is repeated for a number of times equal to the number of setsof group information 71 that have been set in advance, so that every setof identification information 13 b of the measuring terminals 10 in thecontainers 7 on the deck 8 can be obtained.

In step 56, the downloading function 22 d communicates with theindividual measuring terminals 10 and the measurement data of theindividual measuring terminals 10 is downloaded into the collectionterminal 20. In the measuring terminals 10, after the identificationinformation has been transmitted in step 65, in step 66 each terminalwaits to be called individually by an inquiry message 75 that uniquelyincludes its own identification information 13 b. On being called, instep 67, the uploading function 12 b uploads the past measurement datarecorded in the memory 13 a. It is also possible to upload the currentlymeasured data to the collection terminal 20.

In the collection terminal 20, using this kind of procedure, it ispossible to obtain all of the past and present measurement data from themeasuring terminals 10 housed in the containers 7 on the deck 8. Theanalyzing function 22 e analyze the measurement data that has beendownloaded into the collection terminal 20, it is possible to confirmwhether there have been any abnormalities in the past transportationenvironment in each container 7. It is also possible to know how theinternal temperatures and/or other states of each container 7 on thedeck 8 change during transportation. Furthermore, it is possible totransfer the measurement data collected in the collection terminal 20via the communication interface 28 to a personal computer or the like,with the data being further analyzed or stored.

In the collection system 1 that uses the measuring terminals 10 and thecollection terminal 20, the identification information of the measuringterminals 10 provided in the containers 7 is automatically obtained andthe measurement data of the measuring terminals 10 can be gathered inthe collection terminal 20. Accordingly, changes in the environment ofthe containers 7 during transportation and during storage can be knownfrom the measurement data without opening the containers 7. It is alsopossible to automatically collect measurement data from the individualmeasuring terminals 10 of the containers 7 in units of the deck 8 of atruck or a cargo hold or a warehouse where such containers are held.

Accordingly, it is possible to greatly reduce the time and exertionrequired to collect the measurement data. Additionally, since it ispossible to know the environment in the individual containers 7 via themeasuring terminals 10, environmental conditions on a deck or in a cargohold can be understood at positions that are closer to the goods. Sinceit is possible to get a more precise understanding of the actualenvironment close to the goods than in cases where sensors are providedin a number of places on a deck or in a warehouse, the transportationand/or storage environment can be controlled more appropriately anddamage to the goods can be prevented from the outset. Also, it ispossible to know whether the environment has change abnormally duringtransportation and/or during storage before a container is opened, sothat more appropriate actions can be taken sooner, which makes itpossible to provide higher quality services.

By setting the identification information of the measuring terminals 10associated with the identification data assigned or labeled to thecontainers 7, it is possible to obtain the identification information ofthe measuring terminals 10 and to communicate with the measuringterminals 10 individually without opening the containers 7. However,since it is not possible to set the identification information of themeasuring terminals 10 until the identification data has been assignedto the containers 7, this gives rise to a situation where it is notpossible to seal the containers until the identification data has beenassigned to the containers 7, which is not practical. Additionally, evenif the identification information of the containers 7 is obtained usinga method such as reading bar codes, there is still the need to read theidentification information of the individual containers 7, while withthe collection system 1 of the present embodiment, it is only necessaryto perform a process that inquires about the identification numbersafter loading containers onto the deck of a truck or into a cargo hold,so that the identification information of the individual measuringterminals 10 can be obtained extremely easily and in a short time. Sinceother problems such as input errors do not occur, the measuringterminals 10 can be accessed by the collection terminal 20 and themeasurement data can be collected with extremely high reliability.

Since the identification information is transmitted from the measuringterminals 10 using time division, the collection terminal 20 can receiveand recognize pieces or sets of identification information that areseparated according to time division. Accordingly, it is easy tounderstand the sets of identification information, so that a simplemechanism or process can recognize the identification informationreliably and with high precision and record the identificationinformation in a memory. This means that the collection system 1 of thepresent embodiment can be constructed with a simple configuration and atlow cost, and also has high reliability.

It should be noted that since an example of where the collection system1 composed of the measuring terminals and the collection terminal 20 isapplied to containers that are loaded onto the deck of a truck has beenexplained, the communication distance for the wireless apparatuses isset at around several meters, though the present collection system canbe adapted to a cargo hold or a large warehouse by expanding thecommunication distance for the wireless apparatuses to around severaltens of meters. Also, since identification numbers are assigned to eachgroup by adding group information to the identification information, themeasuring terminals 10 can be uniquely identified without increasing thenumber of identification numbers. Accordingly, it is possible to reducethe time spent by the collection terminal 20 in order to obtain theidentification information and it is also possible to uniquely identifythe measuring terminals using only the identification numbers withoutthe group information.

Also, the measuring terminals 10 of the present embodiment are describedusing examples that measure temperature and/or humidity, though thephysical quantities that are measured using sensors are not limited to.It is possible with the present collection system to measure a varietyof physical quantities and to make use of the resulting data, such as byattaching an acceleration sensor if the goods are sensitive toacceleration or by attaching a photo-sensor if the goods are sensitiveto light.

In addition, the technical field in which the collection system andcollection method of the present invention can be applied is not limitedto the field of transportation, such as container transportation, andthe present invention can also be applied to an ordinary data loggersystem. As one example, in a case where measuring terminals areinstalled in separate compartments or areas, by operating a collectionterminal in each compartment to obtain the identification information ofthe measuring terminals and collect measurement data, it becomesunnecessary to manage the identification information of the measuringterminals that are installed in each compartment, so that the cost, timeand effort required for management can be reduced. In particular, in acase where measuring terminals are temporarily installed in the venuesof an event, a significant reduction in costs can be made by using thecollection system of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, the data collection system 1 and data collectionmethod that use the measuring terminals 10 and the collection terminal20 of the present embodiment are also effective in a bottling system 80where a liquid 82 is introduced into bottles 83 by a plurality ofinjectors 81. A measuring terminal 10 is attached to each of theplurality of injectors 81 and the injecting conditions of each injector81 can be monitored by periodically collecting and recording thetemperature of the liquid 82 putted in by the injectors 81, thetemperature of the injector 81, etc., and wirelessly sending this datato the collection terminal 20 with appropriate timing. In a system inwhich a plurality of injectors put a liquid into bottles while moving athigh speed, when the measurement information of the individual injectors81 is obtained each time by polling, it is difficult to keep up with theprocessing of the injectors 81. On the other hand, by using measuringterminals 10 that are each equipped with a memory capable of storing acertain amount of measurement data or a certain number of measurements,the state of the individual injectors 81 can be recorded first as datainto the memory then transferred to the collection terminal 20 with theappropriate timing in a burst mode, so that it is possible to collectand analyze information on the individual injectors 81 in a short periodand almost on-time.

For the collection of information of the injectors 81, theidentification information may be fixed in advance. However, by usingthe collection system 1 of the present invention, it is possible toautomatically collect identification information- of the individualmeasuring terminals 10 and/or injectors 81, so that even if theinjectors 81 are interchanged in the bottling system 80, data can becollected without having to supply the collection system 1 with theidentification information of the injectors 81 and/or measuringterminals 10 that have been interchanged even if interchanges takeplace. When interchanging has taken place or the configuration of thebottling system 80 has been changed, the collection system 1 canautomatically recognize the configuration of the bottling system 80 byinquiring about identification information of the measuring terminals10. Accordingly, it is possible with the collection system 1 of thepresent invention to automatically perform management includinghistories for the injectors 81. By analyzing the data obtained by thecollection system 1, it is possible to quickly discover anyabnormalities in the individual injectors 81, which makes it possible toprevent the occurrence of rejected lots. It becomes possible to preventwaste, so that products of a stable quality can be shipped at low cost.

Additionally, by using the measuring terminals of the present invention,the conditions of the measuring terminals can be flexibly set by anoptical communication means at any time, for example when the measuringterminals are attached to the place of installation or when themeasuring terminals are inserted into packages. Accordingly, it ispossible to make the settings freely in accordance with a user systemthat uses the measuring terminals, so that the advantages of introducingthe measuring terminals can be obtained without changing the usersystem.

The above-described data collection method and data collection systemcan easily obtain the identification information of measuring terminals,which are installed inside containers or the like, through communicationbetween the measuring terminals and a collection terminal and after thiscan collect the measurement data of the measuring terminals in thecollection terminal by communicating with the measuring terminals usingthe obtained identification information. Accordingly, it is possible toprovide a collection system that can control, without opening thecontainers, the temperature in the containers using the measurement dataof the measuring terminals and can judge beforehand whether there areany abnormalities in the containers. In addition to being effective inthe field of transportation using containers and the like, the datacollection method and system of the present invention are effective inother fields, for example, the field of packaging foodstuffs andbeverages, such as in a bottling system. Additionally, since it is notnecessary to register the measuring terminals in the collection terminalin advance, the present method and system are especially useful for datacollection in fields where measuring terminals are dispersed andinterchanged. The method and system have a wide range of application,such as for monitoring the state of the exhibits and for monitoring thestate of provided services at an event venue, an art gallery, ashowroom, etc.

1. A data collection method that uses measuring terminals, each of themeasuring terminals obtains measurement data from a sensor andwirelessly transmits the measurement data, and a collection terminal forreceiving the measurement data from the measuring terminals, each of themeasuring terminals having a memory for storing one of a limited numberof sets of identification information, whose order is definable, as ownidentification information, the data collection method comprising: (a)the collection terminal wirelessly transmits a message for inquiringabout own identification information; (b) at least one of the measuringterminals, after receiving the message, wirelessly transmits the ownidentification information after the message has ended, during a turnfor sending the own identification information; (c) the collectionterminal stores the own identification information in the order ofidentification information; and (d) the collection terminal wirelesslycommunicates individually with the measuring terminals with the ownidentification information stored and collects the measurement data fromthe measuring terminals.
 2. The data collection method according toclaim 1, wherein each own identification information includes firstidentification information for defining order and second identificationinformation for identifying a group, in step (a), the message includingthe second identification information is transmitted, and in step (b),the measuring terminals whose own identification information includesthe second identification information included in the message reply tothe message.
 3. The data collection method according to claim 1, whereinin step (a), a same message is transmitted a plurality of times togetherwith a number of repetitions.
 4. The data collection method according toclaim 1, wherein in step (b), the turn for transmitting the ownidentification information is counted using a normal time fortransmitting one set of identification information, the normal timebeing a total of a time needed to transmit the one set of identificationinformation plus spare time.
 5. The data collection method according toclaim 1, further comprising: (e) before step (b), every measuringterminal wirelessly transmits the own identification informationsimultaneously following an end of the message; and (f) when a set ofidentification information is identified in step (e), the set ofidentification information is stored and step (c) is skipped.
 6. Ameasuring terminal comprising: a circuit for obtaining measurement datafrom a sensor; a wireless apparatus for transmitting the measurementdata; a memory for storing one of sets of identification information,whose order are definable, as own identification information; andwherein the wireless apparatus is adapted to transmit the ownidentification information when a message inquiring about identificationinformation has been received via the wireless apparatus and a turn fortransmitting the own identification information has been reachedfollowing an end of the message.
 7. The A measuring terminal accordingto claim 6, wherein the wireless apparatus is adapted to transmit theown identification information a predetermined time after the end of themessage and before the first responding means replies.
 8. The measuringterminal according to claim 6, further comprising an opticalcommunication means for receiving data for setting conditions fortransmitting and receiving via the wireless apparatus.
 9. A collectionterminal, comprising: a wireless apparatus for receiving measurementdata from measuring terminals for obtaining the measurement data fromsensors; the wireless apparatus is adapted to transmit to the measuringterminals a message that inquires about identification information; anda memory that stores sets of identification information received via thewireless apparatus in an order of the sets of identification informationafter an end of the message, wherein the wireless apparatus is adaptedto communicate with the measuring terminals individually with the setsof identification information stored and collects the measurement datafrom the measuring terminals.
 10. The collection terminal according toclaim 9, wherein the wireless apparatus is adapted to transmit a samemessage a plurality of times together with a number of repetitions. 11.The collection terminal according to claim 9, further comprising asecond identifying means for receiving via the wireless apparatus,following the end of the message, the sets of identification informationthat are simultaneously transmitted from every measuring terminal and,when a set of identification information is identified, storing the setof identification information and skipping an operation of the firstidentifying means.
 12. A data collection system including measuringterminals, each measuring terminal obtains measurement data from asensor and wirelessly transmits the measurement data, and a collectionterminal for receiving the measurement data from the measuringterminals, the measuring terminal comprising: a measuring terminalwireless apparatus for wirelessly transmitting the measurement data; amemory for storing one of sets of identification information, whoseorder is definable, as own identification information; and wherein themeasuring terminal wireless apparatus is adapted to wirelessly transmitthe own identification information when a message inquiring aboutidentification information has been wirelessly received and a turn forsending the own identification information of the measuring terminal hasbeen reached following an end of the message, and the collectionterminal comprising: a collection terminal wireless apparatus forreceiving the measurement data from the measuring terminals wirelesslyand for transmitting, wirelessly to the measuring terminals, the messagethat inquires about identification information; and a memory for storingthe sets of identification information wirelessly received in the orderof the sets of identification information following the end of themessage, wherein the collection terminal wireless apparatus is adaptedto communicate with the measuring terminals individually with the setsof identification information sets stored and collects the measurementdata from the measuring terminals.
 13. A computer readable medium havinga program that controls a measuring terminal for obtaining measurementdata from a sensor and transmitting the measurement data via a wirelessapparatus, wherein one of a limited number of sets of identificationinformation, whose order is definable, is stored in a memory as ownidentification information, the program comprising an instruction thatexecutes a step of transmitting, when a message inquiring aboutidentification information has been received via the wireless apparatus,the own identification information via the wireless apparatus when,after the message has ended, a turn for sending the own identificationinformation is reached.
 14. The program according to claim 13, whereinthe measuring terminal includes optical communication means and theprogram further comprises an instruction that executes a step of settingthe own identification information using the optical communicationmeans.
 15. A computer readable medium having a program that controls acollection terminal for receiving measurement data via a wirelessapparatus from measuring terminals for obtaining the measurement datafrom sensors, the program comprising instructions for executing a methodcomprising: transmitting, via the wireless apparatus to the measuringterminals, a message that inquires about identification information;storing, following an end of the message, sets of identificationinformation received via the wireless apparatus in an order of the setsof identification information; and communicating via the wirelessapparatus with the measuring terminals individually with the sets ofidentification information stored and collecting the measurement datafrom the measuring terminals.